Posted onSeptember 27, 2020bydshaw12|Comments Off on TCS Autumn Offering – Join Us Online – Thu, Oct 8th
Black Theatre Matters; or, For White People Who Don’t Know Why They Don’t Know Led by Jacqueline DiGenio
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2020 Time: 7:00-8:30PM Where: Virtually on Zoom Cost: $10
There is a rich history of African-American Theatre, yet most of us can only name A Raisin in the Sun as a Black play we know. Why is that? Join us as we explore the legacies of Black playwrights, actors, and theaters, along with the elements that have left them largely ignored by white audiences, critics, and academics.
This seminar will speak candidly about race and bias within the arts as we explore Black theatre history in America from the Colonial period to present day.
Proceeds will be split between TCS and The Movement for Black Lives, which is made up of over 150 organizations that coordinate actions, messages and campaigns: https://m4bl.org/
Jacqueline DiGenio, a former TCS member, has studied Technical Theatre at Salem State and African-American Theatre at the University of Louisville. Before she officially “begins” her seminar, Jacqueline will address the fact that she is a white woman presenting this topic (and all the complications that go along with that), the discomfort with talking about race, and our ever-evolving sensitivities to the language that surrounds race.
Jacqueline DiGenio
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Theatre Company of Saugus mourns Steven Friedman, who passed away on September 7, 2020. Steven was a very entertaining actor in two roles in the TCS production of From Moliere With Love in 2007. We did two short comedies by Moliere, in which he played Villebrequin in The Imaginary Cuckold and Geronimo in The Forced Marriage.
Steven was the beloved husband of Harriet Friedman, who directed the TCS production of Clue, the Musical in 2015. Harriet has been active with EMACT and has worked with numerous local community theatres over the years, sometimes with Steven.
Posted onAugust 23, 2020bylsegel|Comments Off on TCS Earns Numerous 2020 DASH Awards
EMACT (Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatres) annually gives DASH awards for distinguished achievements, for shows that have been evaluated by their consultant reviewers. This year the awards were announced at a virtual Gala presentation on August 22, 2020. Instead of the usual format of six nominees and one winner, because of the pandemic-shortened season, this year they announced a varying number of Outstanding Achievement Awards in each category, for shows or individuals with the highest scores.
The Theatre Company of Saugus’ production of Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe, presented in October & November 2019, was the recipient of Outstanding Achievement Awards for a Musical in almost every possible category.
Best Musical
Direction – Jason Hair-Wynn
Musical Direction – Shawn Gelzleichter
Choreography – Jason Hair-Wynn
Ensemble Cast
Actor – Benjamin Finn
Supporting Actress – Christine Dickinson
Supporting Actress – Caroline Fonseca
Props – Amanda Allen, Jason Hair-Wynn, Damien LaCount, Deirdre A. L. Shaw
Hair & Makeup Design – Amanda Allen, Jason Hair-Wynn, William Fafard, Jr.
Costume Design – Amanda Allen & Jason Hair-Wynn
Lighting Design – Matthew Garlin & Jason Hair-Wynn
Sound Design – James Wlodyka, Mel Ingalls, Jason Hair-Wynn
Set Design – Nicholas Raponi & Jason Hair-Wynn
Set Dressing – Nicholas Raponi & Jason Hair-Wynn
The TCS production of James and the Giant Peach, presented in February 2020, was the recipient of two DASH awards.
Outstanding Achievement – Youth Actor in a Play – Brooks Workman
Consultant’s Choice Award – Excellence in Original Music – Greg Borodulin
Several TCS members were recognized for work done with other theatre groups:
Consultants Choice Award, for Set Construction – Lou Schoenthal for Young Frankenstein at Marblehead Little Theatre
Stage Management for a Musical – Jenn Ryan Gelzleichter for Carrie: The Musical at Arts After Hours
Direction of a Musical – Samantha Brior-Jones & Nathan Fogg-DeSisto for Beauty & the Beast at Massasoit Theatre Company
Choreography – Samantha Brior-Jones for Beauty & the Beast at Massasoit
Stage Management for a Musical – Nathan Fogg-DeSisto for Beauty & the Beast at Massasoit Theatre Company
Supporting Actor in a Musical – Bobby Imperato for Beauty & the Beast at Massasoit Theatre Company
Set Design for a Musical – Nathan Fogg-DeSisto for Beauty & the Beast at Massasoit Theatre Company
Set Dressing for a Musical – Nathan Fogg-DeSisto for Beauty & the Beast at Massasoit Theatre Company
Hair & Makeup Design for a Musical – Becky Jo Roland for The Addams Family at Arlington Friends of Drama
Hair & Makeup Design for a Musical – Kathleen Tringale & Ursina Amsler for Into the Woods at Stage 284
Congratulations to all our winners! And thank you to the EMACT team for all the recognition!
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Posted onAugust 12, 2020bydshaw12|Comments Off on TCS Summer Sessions – Join Us Online – 2nd & 3rd Sessions Aug 13th & 20th – It’s all about the Music!
“C The Notes” – A Crash Course in Reading Music for Singers Led by Ben Tan
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2020 Time: 7:00-9:00PM Where: Virtually on Zoom
“C The Notes” – A Crash Course in Reading Music for Singers: Experienced theatre music director Ben Tan will teach an introduction to reading music for singers. Students will go over the basics of visualizing rhythm and melody on the staff and apply music theory fundamentals to musical theatre repertoire.
Ben Tan, music director, hails from Wakefield. Previous music director credits include Frozen Jr, James And The Giant Peach (both at Middlesex School Summer Arts), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Theatre Company Saugus), Shrek, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Young Frankenstein (all at Alexander Children’s Theatre School), Grease (Babson Players), Spelling Bee (Emerson College Musical Theatre Society), Dear Edwina, and You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (both Kidding Around at Emerson College). Ben earned his M.M.Ed. from Boston Conservatory and teaches music at Carver Elementary School.
Ben Tan
Healthy Vocal Technique for Musical Theatre Led by Lori L’Italian
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2020 Time: 7:00-9:00PM Where: Virtually on Zoom
Have you been missing your theatre community? Longing to belt out showtunes with your besties? Join us for a group voice class with TCS Alum and Professor of Voice in Musical Theatre at The Boston Conservatory, Lori L’Italien. Lori has appeared in TCS shows over the last 10 years including: Cabaret, The Producers, and Children of Eden. A graduate of The University of Maine, Longy School of Music and The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Lori has been teaching voice for more than 15 years and has been a regular on the Boston professional scene for as many.
Session includes:
Instructor-led group physical and vocal warm-up with explanation of how to bring each exercise into your practice and what its purpose is (grounding the voice in speech, finding clarity in the head voice/legit sound, bringing ease into the belt, extending the range, and releasing unnecessary tensions and strain from your body and voice).
Group experimentation with sounds and sensations, leading into healthful vocalise and work towards flexibility, and balance of register.
Individual Song Performances and Feedback – Students will have the option to present a selection or cut they have been working on. Lori will spend a short amount of time coaching one or two aspects of the song and giving next steps for what the singer can work on to bring the song to the next level.
Lori D’Italian
REGISTRATION FORM: Please complete the form below. You can use it to register for either session or both. Each session is $10 and you will be invoiced via PayPal after registration is completed. Questions? Email us at tcsaugus@gmail.com.
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Posted onAugust 1, 2020bydshaw12|Comments Off on TCS Summer Sessions – Join Us Online – 1st Session Aug 6th
The Power of Makeup (onstage and off) Led by Brittany Daley
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2020 Time: 6:30-8:30PM Where: Virtually on Zoom
This workshop is perfect for beginners as well as makeup gurus looking for new techniques. The workshop will start with an overview of Makeup basics from the different types of products, how they are used, and the tools needed to apply them. Brittany will also share some of her own tips and tricks as well as her holy grail products. The remainder of the workshop will be dedicated to demonstrating the application and transformation process – Live. Brittany will create a theatrical, drag inspired look using suggestions from participants. Participants are welcome to bring their own makeup and experiment along with Brittany. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.
Brittany Daley is a director, performer and theatre educator from Saugus, MA. She is also a self proclaimed makeup addict. When she’s not directing middle schoolers, she finds opportunities to be creative herself. Some of her favorite roles include Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and a Wierd Sister in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She can also be seen at the local con cosplaying and using makeup to bring some of her favorite characters to life.
Brittany DaleyMakeup Designs by Brittany Daley
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Posted onJuly 31, 2020bydshaw12|Comments Off on TCS Summer Youth Theatre Workshop Registration – Sign-Up by August 3 for Early Bird Discount
TCS has been weighing options regarding holding our Youth Theatre Workshop this summer. We know there are youth actors who look forward to participating each summer and our staff looks forward to working with the talented students who are part of TCS.
In order to best serve all involved – we are revamping for this summer and only having one week instead of two and having a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. Additionally, instead of a full production, we will be ending with a talent show – which will allow each participant to take part without having to rely on interacting with others in person.
For more information about protocols, what will be included in the sessions, and to access the registration form – CLICK HERE.
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Posted onJune 13, 2020bydshaw12|Comments Off on Striving for an inclusive community: in the theater and beyond
Theatre Company of Saugus prides itself on being a safe space and being intolerant of hate/bullying of any kind. We consider ourselves a theater family and a great place for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the arts and in turn, themselves. We strive to be inclusive and support all citizens, patrons, and artists in our community and the surrounding area. As we all try to wrap our heads around the year that is 2020 – TCS needs to look at itself and ask, are we doing all we can do to be inclusive and supportive? And, we need people to tell us when we are not (especially if we think we are). No one will take on the mantle of change if they don’t know they need to do it.
While theatres are all trying to deal with the ramifications of COVID-19 and how it is impacting the end of this past season and the start of the next, we also need to be thinking about the black members of our communities who are suffering (and have been suffering) in innumerable ways. The senseless murder of George Floyd has set off a chain reaction throughout the entire country and the world. There must be change that happens, but many times, people don’t know how to start the process.
There are numerous ways to help individuals and work towards change.Support black-owned businesses in the Boston area.
Let people you know that you are ready to listen to anyone who is angry and frustrated and working towards change. Sometimes people need to know they can share and you will be there to listen. Sharing that you are an ally is a very important message to spread to those in your life. TCS has always tried to be an ally and to be inclusive. We hope this is now apparent to all our members, volunteers, patrons, and supporters.
Let us know how you think we can do better. Email us at tcsaugus@gmail.com.
#BlackLivesMatter #BLM #SayTheirNames
Thank you for joining us to make our community a better place!
Sincerely, Theatre Company of Saugus, Board of Directors Amanda Allen, President Larry Segel, Vice President Alicia Murphy, Treasurer Jeffrey Bliss, Recording Secretary Deirdre A. L. Shaw, Corresponding Secretary Matthew Garlin, Member-At-Large Mike Giusti, Member-At-Large Allison Perry, Member-At-Large Sean Perry, Member-At-Large
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Posted onMay 13, 2020bylsegel|Comments Off on Play Reading Zoom Events in May & June
We can’t wait to see you in person! But in the meantime, let’s participate in some playreading online. Giving you a sneak peak at our plans for the 2020-2021 season.
As we are all still staying safe at home – and will be for some time more – TCS is planning an online series of play readings for our potential 2020-2021 season.
These play readings will be conducted via Zoom. All are invited to participate – reading parts in the show or just listening in. The sessions will be on four (4) Saturday evenings May to June 2020, each starting at 7:00PM.
Each Friday before a play reading, TCS will send out an email containing the links to both the Zoom meeting and to the script that we will be reading.
You don’t need to sign up in advance to attend and/or read, but it will be helpful for us to know how many people to expect for readers. If you have any questions or would like to sign-up for any or all evenings, please use the appropriate link below.
After all four play reading sessions have been completed – we will host a final Zoom meeting. This will go to Members only for our General Membership Meeting to discuss the proposed slate of shows, vote on a winter comedy, and approve the plan for the season.
Saturday, May 16 @ 7:00PM – Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson Saturday, May 23 @ 7:00PM – Spring Awakening Saturday, May 30 @ 7:00PM – The Importance of Being Earnest Saturday, June 6 @ 7:00PM – Much Ado About Nothing
